Harare, Zimbabwe
The Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET), in collaboration with the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ), successfully hosted a symposium on the introduction of mandatory taxation of Zimbabwe’s informal economy. The event, held last Tuesday in Harare, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the challenges, risks, and opportunities associated with the proposed taxation policy.
The symposium provided a platform for engagement, fostering participation and feedback from informal traders, government representatives, parliamentarians, local government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations. The discussions centered around creating a fair and inclusive taxation framework that addresses the unique challenges faced by informal traders.
Key Outcomes:
– Proposed Framework: A framework for effective implementation of the informal sector taxation policy was proposed, focusing on monitoring the use of raised revenues and ring-fencing these funds for the support of informal sector growth and priority sectors such as health and education.
– Increased Participation: The symposium promoted greater involvement of informal traders and residents in designing and implementing tax policies, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the new taxation framework.
– Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: The event emphasized the need for improved processes for monitoring the use of tax revenues collected from the informal sector.
“The success of this symposium demonstrates the importance of inclusive dialogue and strategic frameworks in shaping policies that impact the livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans,” said Samuel Wadzai, VISET’s Executive Director. “We look forward to continuing this conversation with our Local Authorities and the Central Government and working towards a fair and equitable taxation system for Zimbabwe’s informal economy.”
